Can I keep chickens in Albany, OR?
Yes, with conditions — Albany allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations (up to 2 hens where permitted). Coops must be at least 10 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Albany Municipal Code 6.10.010 & 6.10.020, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 2 |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 10 ft |
| Coop rules | Birds must be contained within hutches, fences, or pens inaccessible to predators, set back at least 10 ft from adjoining property lines and 20 ft from any public right-of-way. Tethering and electric/barbwire confinement are prohibited. Keeping more than allowed requires City Manager approval plus written consent of all contiguous improved-property owners within 200 ft. |
| Code section | Albany Municipal Code 6.10.010 & 6.10.020 |
Albany allows up to 2 fowl on any lot under 7,000 sq ft, with each additional bird requiring another 3,000 sq ft of lot area. Coops/pens must be at least 10 feet from property lines and 20 feet from public right-of-way. Exceeding the allowance is possible only with City Manager approval and written consent from neighbors within 200 feet.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Albany?
Yes, with conditions — Albany allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Albany Municipal Code 6.10.010 & 6.10.020).
How many chickens can I keep in Albany?
Up to 2 hens. 2 hens, +1 per 3,000 sq ft above 7,000. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Albany?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Albany.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Albany?
10 feet minimum. Birds must be contained within hutches, fences, or pens inaccessible to predators, set back at least 10 ft from adjoining property lines and 20 ft from any public right-of-way. Tethering and electric/barbwire confinement are prohibited. Keeping more than allowed requires City Manager approval plus written consent of all contiguous improved-property owners within 200 ft.
What law covers backyard chickens in Albany?
Albany Municipal Code 6.10.010 & 6.10.020. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Albany Municipal Code 6.10.010 & 6.10.020 — read the official code
“Persons desiring to keep more animals than permitted by this section may do so with approval of the City Manager only when written approval is obtained from the owners of all improved property contiguous to the applicant(s) and which is within 200 feet of any fence, hutch, or pen containing the animals.” source
“For poultry, fowl (including domestic and game birds raised for meat, eggs, breeding, or other purposes) and rabbits, not more than two animals on any lot less than 7,000 square feet in area; for each additional animal there shall be an additional 3,000 square feet of lot area.” source
“All poultry, fowl, and rabbits shall be contained within hutches, fences, or pens inaccessible to other predatory animals and set back a minimum of 10 feet from adjoining property lines and 20 feet from any public right-of-way.” source
Last verified June 14, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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